Troubadour Concert Series features songwriter’s songwriter Rodney Crowell headlining on Bosque Arts Center stage April 23 with 2019 Texas Troubadour winner Zac Clifton opening
CLIFTON – Country music has a huge, loyal fan base, and it is no coincidence that a majority of finalists/winners of the television music competition The Voice fit in that genre. This is probably why artists from the seventies and eighties are still touring and drawing full venues.
Talented and Grammy Award winning entertainer Rodney Crowell brings his early and more recent songs to the Bosque Arts Center stage on April 23 at 7 p.m as a part of the BAC’s Troubadour Concert Series. The doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the concert will also feature a special guest in 2019 Texas Troubadour winner Zac Clifton at 6 p.m.
A guitarist and singer in his own right, Crowell’s career started with writing songs. Called the songwriter’s songwriter and much respected with country western music greats, Crowell recently won the prestigious Poet’s Award in 2019 from the Academy of Country Music. In 2006, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award in Songwriting from the Americana Music Association. And in 2003, Crowell was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Between 1988-89, Crowell racked up five consecutive Number 1 hits from his album “Diamonds & Dirt”, including “After All This Time,” which won a Grammy for Best Country Song in 1989. The other hits were "It's Such a Small World" (duet with Rosanne Cash), "I Couldn't Leave You If I Tried," "She's Crazy for Leavin'," and his cover of Harlan Howard’s "Above and Beyond."
Grammy Award winning “After All This Time”
General admission tickets are $25 general admission; reserved seating tickets are $50 and $75. For additional details, please call the Bosque Arts Center at 254-675-3724 or purchase tickets on line at the Bosque Arts Center website. The Bosque Arts Center is located at 215 College Hill Drive in Clifton.
Crowell won his second Grammy for the Best American Album in 2013 for his album “Old Yellow Moon.” “There’s no doubt that Crowell was an architect of Americana as we know it,” National Public Radio Music said.
The saying “your favorite song was probably written by Rodney Crowell,” just might be true. Because since 1972, Crowell has been writing and producing songs for not just himself, but has an extensive catalog of songs cut by the likes of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Etta James, John Denver, Jimmy Buffett, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and more, making him a master among his peers.
Crowell played with Emmylou Harris as the guitarist, harmony singer and arranger in her legendary Hot Band, which introduced many listeners to his finely-crafted songs. He also wrote “Leaving Louisiana” for the Oak Ridge Boys and “I Ain’t Living Long Like This” recorded by Waylon Jennings. His first real success came with the song “Shame On The Moon” recorded by Bob Seger and Glenn Frey. In 1983, Crystal Gayle had a hit written by Crowell with the song, “'Til I Gain Control Again.”
“I Couldn’t Leave You If I Tried”
For over 40 years, Crowell has toured and performed solo and with other artists. He has just released an album in 2021 called “Triage” and he recently published a book “Word for Word” – a collection of 150 of his most impactful songs in a collector-sized compilation of lyrical poetry and artwork, curated by himself.
His songs talk about life in simple and direct terms; the lyrics are compelling which resonate in one’s heart and soul. All qualities for great country songs, that paint a clear image in the listeners mind. They have good melody; ones that you can sing along to without having heard the song before.
“I haven’t kept track of how many of Rodney’s songs I’ve recorded,” Emmylou Harris said. “Something about them suits me. He writes the truth. You have a truth meter. You just know when the words get your chakras going. Rodney’s writing has always done that for me.”
“Something Has To Change”
Photos & videos courtesy of RODNEY CROWELL & BOSQUE ARTS CENTER
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Wow, what a program, a newcomer with great promise paired with one of America’s best songwriter/performers!